Eoin Ó Broin (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
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97. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he will provide an update on unsold affordable homes; the number of homes currently occupied by social housing tenants; and if tenants can purchase the homes as per their contracts. [3587/23]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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In 2009 the Department issued guidance to local authorities on the use of unsold affordable properties (USAs) to provide social housing. Whilst the original intention was that these properties would be sold on as affordable homes once demand increased to a level that would stimulate a sale, following the financial crash, developments in the housing market resulted in significantly reduced demand for affordable housing and a build-up of unsold affordable housing units in a number of local authority areas.

As of end 2022, there were in the region of 1,680 remaining USAs, with debt outstanding to the HFA, occupied by social housing tenants.

In September 2020, I convened a working group to examine the issues relating to unsold affordable properties. The working group has examined a number of options to date, including purchase, and I am keen to develop a long-term solution which works for all parties including the tenants, the approved housing bodies who have long established relationships with the tenants, and the local authorities. Any proposals must also achieve the best value for the Exchequer.